John McCarthy has been involved in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts since its inception into the United States in 1993. As the owner of the Ultimate Training Academy, John will oversee the day to day operations of the Academy.

• Officiated thousands of bouts worldwide
• American Grappling Association Black Belt instructor rating
• Member of the Los Angeles Police Department Martial Arts Review Board
• Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• Grapple Instructor for Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
• Self-Defense instructor for the Los Angeles Police Department
• Tactics instructor for the Los Angeles Police Department
• Key figure in writing the Unified Rules for the sport of MMA which is recognized by the State Athletic Commissions across America
• Received a California State Resolution by Senator Jim Battin for accomplishments in regards to MMA Safety and Growth
• Recognized worldwide as the Premier Referee in MMA and for the UFC

Lou began his martial arts experience in 1965 training in Tadamori Ryu Kenpo Ju Jitsu under Master Norman Leff. During the mid 70's Lou studied under Master Takayuki Kubota, 10th Dan Gosoku Ryu. In the early 1990's Lou met and began training with Hanshi Ken Penland a Shorin Ryu Ju Jitsu and Shorin Ryu Matsumura Kenpo Karate Master at the LAPD Academy Dojo. Hanshi Penland was a member of an elite cadre of martial artists assembled to develop a new system of defensive tactics for LAPD officers. In 1993, while attending a Budo Clinic with other black belts from the LAPD Dojo, Lou met the legendary Brazilian Machado brothers Jean Jacques and John Machado. He began training at a local Machado Dojo to improve his ground fighting skills. Lou obtained a Black Belt from Jean Jacques Machado in June of 2001. In 2006 Lou, a Black Belt in both Japanese (5th) and Brazilian Ju Jitsu (4th) was greatly honored by being inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame. Lou retired from the Los Angeles Police Department after 34 years of service in 2008.

In 1992, Mike Ortiz began his training in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Rickson Gracie, who is well known for introducing the sport to the United States. Mike competed in several tournaments under the instruction of Gracie and went beyond his normal training to become experienced in advanced self-defense and representative training. By 1998, Mike was asked to be an Official Representative of the Rickson Gracie International Jiu-Jitsu Association and now ranks as a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. To achieve his dream of passing on the spirit and sport to others, Mike began teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to all ages, he also taught classes for Law Enforcement, as well as women's self-defense. Through teaching, Mike compiled a Competitive Team of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu students that took top honors at tournaments across Southern California. In teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mike believes people of all ages and skill levels can be successful and excel both mentally and physically. As the world of Martial Arts continues to evolve, Mike looks forward to contributing his knowledge to Big John McCarthy's Ultimate Training Academy.

Brian Peterson was introduced to the sport of wrestling his sophomore year at Channel Islands High School. His senior year he was co-captain of the varsity team and finished his high school career as the second best wrestler in Ventura County at 119 pounds. After graduation, Brian quickly fell in love with the art of Brazilian jiujitsu and the Ultimate Fighting Championship through Robert Ferguson. With his wrestling background aiding his progression, Brian quickly learned the intricate details that make the art of jiu-jitsu effective. He successfully competed in many no-gi style jiu-jitsu tournaments. Brian then became Kage Kombat Featherweight Champion in December of 2001. Since then Brian has become the head referee for World Grappling Games grappling tournaments. He now guides the kids wrestling program in addition to the new MMA fight team for BJMUTA.

On a long drive to a fateful camping trip soon to-go-very very bad, Felicia Oh was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by her friend's husband. Intrigued by the notion that technique and skill could overcome size and strength, she went to watch a class. She signed up and started training the next day. Felicia has since dominated many national competitions and was awarded her black belt by Jean Jacques Machado after only 4.5 years - an achievement that has left many of her male training partners both envious and struggling to keep up. In 2007, Felicia became the first woman to win both the Pan American Jiu Jitsu Black Belt Gi and No-Gi divisions. After winning the ADCC North American Trials and securing her spot to represent the United States at the ADCC World Submission Wrestling Championship, she had convincing victories over a multi-time BJJ World Champion and a Japanese superstar which put her in the finals of the most prestigious grappling event in the world. Felicia currently teaches Women's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as well as Kettlebells at Big John McCarthy's Ultimate Training Academy in Valencia, CA. She is also a guest instructor with Jean Jacques Machado's Online Training Program. She is now a happy camper.

Tim started training at BJMUTA in 2006. He earned his blue belt after 9 months of rigorous and dedicated training. After only 2 years of training, Tim received his purple belt from Sensai Lou Salseda and Big John McCarthy for his outstanding accomplishments in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Tim holds the following titles: Pan Am Juevenile Champion, Copa Pacifica Blue Belt Champion, 3rd place blue mundials, South Bay blue belt champion, blue belt no-gi world champion, North American blue belt champion, Jean Jacque purple belt champion, and many more. Tim is still an active competitor and attends College of the Canyons.

When he was a child growing up in Pakistan, Majid Raees dreamt of one day having the opportunity to train with his hero, kickboxing legend Benny "The Jet" Urquidez. Since that dream became a reality for Raees seven years ago, he has both become an undeniable and unanticipated force in the martial arts fightworld. Before leaving his homeland to pursue his aspiration, Raees excelled at the martial art of Tae Kwon Do that was introduced to him by his uncle an accomplished and well respected fighter. The youngster tested the extent of his proficiency during amateur Tae Kwon Do competition and proved to be nothing short of a dominant superstar. Several years ago, he worked his way through several rounds of a national tournament before meeting the defending champion in the final round. At the sound of the opening bell, Raees broke the record for the quickest knockout in Pakastani history by dropping his opponent with a wheel kick only two seconds into the first round. The feat made headlines in newspapers throughout the country. Urquidez has since brought Raees's punching prowess up to par with the fighters kicking skills by constantly drilling Raees and placing him in amateur and, later, professional boxing competitions. Majid is proud to be part of the staff here at BJMUTA and looks forward to teaching his great knowledge of Mixed Martial Arts.

German Baltazar is a member of the BJMUTA fight team and specializes in kickboxing. He has been training and competing for 4 years as an amateur, with a record of 6-1 in kickboxing and an official MMA record of 2-0. German has trained under Sensei Efrain Contreras, Peter "Sugarfoot" Cunningham and Majid Raees. German has been teaching adults and children kickboxing since 2007. Currently, he is an active competitor and will be going pro in late 2010. Take German's MMA and kickboxing classes to take your game to the next level.

Mark Mireles has thirty years of martial arts training, including a black belt in Judo, All-American Honors in wrestling and black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Jean Jacques Machado. He has coached wrestling at the scholastic, collegiate, and club levels for over twenty years. He is also a best-selling author of many self defense books. Mark has developed an outstanding curriculum incorporating aspects of wrestling for MMA applications and has had the opportunity to teach with several renowned grappling instructors including: Eddie Bravo, Gokar Chivician, and Jean Jacques Machado. Take your game to the next level with Mark's classes.

Cliff began Judo in 1970 at the Hollywood YMCA under Bob Ota. Cliff earned his 1st degree black belt in Judo in 1986. Which now he holds a 4th Degree black belt in Judo. Cliff has been fortunate to train in Judo under many great Sensi: Hayward Nishioka, Ken Osugi, Steve Seck, Jason Morris, Eddie Liddie, Micky Matsimoto, Christine Lincoln Penick, Joey Nawa, Tony Mojica, and Goker Chivichyan. Cliff has also trained in Brazilian Jui-Jitsu under Mike Ortiz. Cliff has competed nationally and internationally for over 25 years, before retiring from competition in 2004.

Efrain Contreras has trained under kickboxing legend Benny "The Jet" and holds the following titles: WKA Super Welterweight Champion, PKA Super Welterweight Champion, and ICT Super Welterweight Champion. In Efrain's amateur career, he was undefeated and held the following titles: 1984 Golden Gloves Champion, Kickbox U.S. Champion, and World Amateur Champion.

For the past eighteen years, Frank "Johnny Kage" Colcher has competed and trained all over the USA and Canada in MMA, Submission Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Kickboxing. From 2004 to 2010, he trained at AMC Pankration in Seattle, Washington with Matt Hume. There he had the opportunity to help train, and to train with notable fighters: Rich Franklin, Hayato Sakurai, Spencer Fisher, KJ Noons, Matt Brown, Chris Leben, Ivan Salaverry and upcoming fighters Caros "The Future" Fodor and WEC's Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson. His BJJ training began in Toronto, Canada with Professor Shah Franco and Master Sylvio Behring at the Franco-Behring Jiu-Jitsu Alliance in 1999. He received his BJJ Blackbelt in 2009 and has held a Black Belt in Zen Karate-Do since 1993 from Lyle Cheney of Cheney Karate Studios. He began his kickboxing training there and then turned to Muay Thai with World Champion Mike Miles of National Kickboxing. After his amateur kickboxing career, he switched to fighting MMA and eventually retired as the WCT Professional Canadian Lightweight Champion. He has fought in IFC, MFC, WFF, Toshido Challenge and Rhode Island Vale Tudo. He also competed in many Submission Grappling Tournaments over the past 13 years, all in Advanced division including the very first Grapplers Quest and the first N.A.G.A He brings this experience to the Academy, where he currently coaches MMA Conditioning, Ultimate Fit and Fitness Kickboxing. He substitute teaches most other classes offered at BJMUTA and is available for private instruction.

David Eastham is a 3rd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a certified Krav Maga instructor. He studied Exercise of the Science at Youngstown State University and worked under Dan Wathen who later went on to become the president of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. While at YSU, Dave was also on a football scholarship. He then continued his studies at CSUN and University of La Verne. During his time there, he coached 5 years of high school track and football. After finishing his studies, Dave became the head trainer at HOPS Sports Training Center. There he trained athletes of all ages and skill levels from youth to professional in a variety of sports. Dave has studied a wide variety of martial arts starting at a young age with Tae Kwon Do and then over the course of his life he has spent time in Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu and Krav Maga. He spent the last 6 years teaching Tae Kwon Do and Krav Maga and also runs a performance training business. Dave is looking forward to teaching and helping the students of BJMUTA to motivate and reach their goals.

Mr. Todd Creason is a 5th dan black belt, and an ITF international instructor and a class B referee. Mr. Creason began his martial arts training in 1975 at the age of twelve. Mr. Creason is entering his 37th year of Tae Kwon Do training and is still active within the national and international communities. He is excited to incorporate the highly dynamic style of kicking that Tae Kwon Do is known for to the diversified curriculum of the Ultimate Training Academy.

Dubwana has 21 years experience as a champion wrestler, leading a team to a championship as well as being an accomplished individual champion. He has over 19 years experience as a boxer and has been fortunate to be a part of some of the top rated, world class boxing training camps. He has experience in personal training consultations for movies, documentaries and law enforcement. Dubwana has devoted his time as a volunteer coach and supporter for youth activities in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys. As a trainer at the Academy, he is looking forward to teaching stand-up fighting styles at the highest level possible. Dubwana Clark is glad to bring his expertise, passion and dedication to the Academy.

Vinc Pichel is relatively new to the sport of MMA but has quickly learned the necessary skills to become a valuable asset to the fight team at BJMUTA, proving that hard work and dedication does pay off. He has been training in MMA since July 2007 with his coaches Brian Peterson and now Majid Reese and with other instructors and members at BJMUTA to learn new techniques and ways of applying them. In the time he has been training he has had 11 amateur fights with a record of 10-1 and now is a pro with a record of 2-0. He is working hard on achieving his goal of one day fighting in the UFC. Vinc teaches MMA for kids and adults at BJMUTA.